Pregnancy and you blog

Pregnancy questions: Ask until you understand

I have a lot of experience with health care providers — as a peer, a patient and the family member of a patient. My husband has had many serious health problems that culminated in his receiving a heart transplant. These experiences have taught me a few things, which I try to draw from in my care and treatment of pregnant families.

There's a quote that perfectly describes my philosophy as a provider and as a consumer: "Nothing about me without me." I interpret this to mean that there should be no information about my health I shouldn't have, no test results I shouldn't know and no decisions made without my consent.

As a pregnant patient, it's your right and responsibility to know exactly what is happening during your pregnancy and labor. If I recommend that you get a test and I don't explain why, ask me. If I recommend that you take a medication, ask why and how it might affect the baby. Don't hesitate or worry about whether it will hurt your provider's feelings or ego. Ask until you get the answers you need. If you go home from an appointment and remember an important question that you meant to ask (you know how your brain sometimes works during pregnancy), call your provider and get your answer. But don't stop there. Don't ever accept an answer to a question that leaves you with more questions.

During labor and birth, in particular, there are many things that can happen to you — instead of with you. When you are in active labor and concentrating on safely bringing your baby into the world, it might be hard to ask for explanations. But if a provider comes into your labor room and says you need a C-section, someone needs to ask why. Let your support person know that if you can't ask questions during labor, he or she will need to do it for you.

When my husband needed care, I learned to stop worrying about egos or if the providers had enough time. I questioned and pushed until my husband and I were satisfied. You might want your health providers to like you and not cringe because you are one of "those" patients or spouses. But speaking as one of "those" people, I've never regretted asking a question or being informed.

Hi there . Im 26 weeks and I put headphones on my tummy and had them loud because i thought it would not hear and i have done twice with a month between for 30 min each . Would that make my baby deaf ? Because i fead that its not good . Would those two times affect it ? I feel very bad because i cant know intil he is born . Thank you

Maria

March 31, 2015 5:43 a.m.

Hi there . Im 26 weeks and I put headphones on my tummy and had them loud because i thought it would not hear and i have done twice with a month between for 30 min each . Would that make my baby deaf ? Because i fead that its not good . Would those two times affect it ? I feel very bad because i cant know intil he is born . Thank you

Maria

March 29, 2015 12:29 p.m.

I had HSG during my first week of pregnancy as I was unaware about my pregnancy.
I am in 6th week at present. Is it safe to continue my pregnancy?

Ritika

March 10, 2015 1:13 p.m.

Hello I had my normal period for about a week than 1&1/2 week period free and then I got pinkish discharge for like 3-4 hours and than its gone . What is it?

Diana

March 9, 2015 4:10 a.m.

Hi.. I am 37 years old TTC. I had my first IUI done after 2013 last month and I was told during the process that I will need a cervical dilation in my next IUI. When I did my IUI last month, I was just after a urine infection. I have regular periods and have no issues as per the doctor for me to conceive. Please let me know if cervical dilation is needed..can I get pregnant with tight cervix? Could it be due to the urine infection that I had? If so how long will it take to be back to normal?

Janc

January 30, 2015 10:22 a.m.

I had unprotected sex 3 days ago and I'm very nervous I might be pregnant I looked online to see an at home way to make a pregnancy test I came upon the urine and bleach test and so I tried it and it fizzed and foamed and people say if it fizzed and foamed your pregnant so is it to early to know if I am pregnant? How long should I wait to take a pregnancy test and get the most accurate answer? If I am pregnant what symptoms should I expect? Please help

tylahnah

January 27, 2015 8:44 p.m.

Ok so i had unprotected sex 3 months ago and noticed pregnanxy syptoms over the months but had two period they were short last month i had two periods in one month i now have missed my period for almost a week and i still have syptoms here and there but my urine test i took at the clinic just a couple of days ago came back negative my body dont feel right like i still feel like i am is there a cchance i am? I am 16 years old

alexis

January 21, 2015 9:14 a.m.

I have had 3 negative home urine tests and a negative blood serum test. My last cycle started on dec 12 so I'm over a week late and still haven't gotten my period. Is it possible all these tests were false negatives? The blood serum was completed on Monday (a week after my period should have started). Help!

Jen

January 13, 2015 7:46 a.m.

I am 1 month 2 weeks late for my periods, i done several pregnancy test but it came out negative, i had white discharge but it was nothing, i am getting very angry and very upset easily, sometimes i get tired also my whole body is changing i can feel like i am loosing weight for no reason, also i am having a really bad cramps, please tell me what shall i do

Saleena

January 11, 2015 8:23 a.m.

My boyfriend & I had protected & unprotected sex on Jan 1st. Before we started he went to the bathroom & people say if you go to the bathroom, sperm from earlier ejaculation can be peed out. The first time we used two condoms & then without a condom. Throughout the whole experience he hadn't ejaculated at all. Not sure about precum. A few days later my breasts became sore & that isn't normal for me. It's been that way for about a week now. My period should be here around January 16 or 18. No spotting. Cramps aren't bad, very small. I had a few headaches in the beginning but they aren't bothering me anymore. Don't feel nauseous. Please help. Thanks.

scared

December 31, 2014 6:20 a.m.

I am 5-6 weeks pregnant , I am 39 years old and this is my fourth pregnancy. However I have been taking By-Mycin (doxycycline) for my skin for approx. 5 months now and am worried it will harm my baby? I stopped taking it 1 week ago when I discovered I was pregnant?
any advise would be appreciated, as I am extremely worried?
thanks
Jen

Jennifer

December 30, 2014 5:09 p.m.

I was 2 weeks and a bit late and I am irregular,and I came on today and not as heavy as normal but still heavy and I have been bloated and had cramps and backache which think was due to be constipated, I have headaches and not sleeping properly I have slightly sore boobs and they have got bigger, am I pregant? Also did a pregnacy test but came up negative but didn't do it right and should I be worried that I'm always irregular?
Hope to here soon thanks

Megan

November 26, 2014 12:27 p.m.

I want to know if I am pregnant or not?
I had sex with my husband , It was our plan that he'll not insert in his penis in my vagina but we don't remember now what exactly happened. We did pregnancy urine test , it came negative. My periods got delayed 15 days but then after taking some medicines (purposed to cover up infections in women ,may appear after having sex) I got my periods.
We had intercourse on 4th of October
And I got periods on 28th of october.
Now its 26th of November , And from last one month I am facing few problems in which there is headache , feeling tired ,
Feeling sleepy all time , dizzyness and always feeling hungry.
I am also feeling that I am gaining weight and that my belly size is increasing.
Is it possible that I am pregnant even if I got my periods after intercourse though delayed?

hijab qureshi

November 21, 2014 9:24 a.m.

last 2 months am not getting menses but am participated in oral sex just touching his penni to my verjina at that time iam relesed white is there any chance getting pregnancy and tell me the
precautions to that problem?

manjula

November 11, 2014 1:22 a.m.

I had sex a week before my scheduled period. A week after that I bled but I'm not sure if it was my period or spotting. I took a test 3 weeks after that & it came back negative. Could I still be prego?

Amanda

October 26, 2014 5:01 a.m.

Hi all.
I hope to hear your thoughts soon as this is scaring and bothering me a bit.
I normally have heavy and regular periods but my last period was different. It was lighter and sort of "on and off" for about 6 days and also it was 7 days early with bad pains.
I didn't pay too much attention to it as didn't experience any other symptoms.
Now, 2 weeks later I find myself with weird feelings in the stomach. It's been sort of gurgling, rumbling for at least a week or two now, bubbly feelings (as if I was hungry or something is happening inside) and sometimes pains too. I constantly feel bloated with constant/bad headaches, day or night . I also seem to have lost interest in a few things I used to love I.e. coffee & cigarettes. A few other things make me feel sick (but I haven't thrown up).. no other symptoms.
Do you think I could be pregnant? And do you think my last period was a normal period or shall I count it as from day one from the period before last ? ...

Sintija

October 21, 2014 9:23 a.m.

Okay so im only 14 and i think i might be pregnant. Me and my boyfriend only had sex 3 times before he broke up with me. Each time we used the pullout method. But i don't believe that worked. I feel pregnant and have alot of the symptoms. Havent taken a test yet. What should i do?

ali

October 18, 2014 11:00 a.m.

I'm 40 weeks and I am trying to determine if my water broke it's a little trickle, not a gush, so every so often I have this moisture, I smell blood but don't see any, my mucus plug is gone and last I went to the Dr I was 3 cm dilated. Plus I've been nauseated the last two days. The top of my abdomen has gotten so soft, it doesn't even feel like there's fluid there anymore?
First baby, a bit worried.

breiona

October 13, 2014 8:03 a.m.

So my girlfriend got a abortion like a year ago and we are trying to have a baby because I am gonna leave to the navy, but when we do try and she gets the symtoms like 3 weeks before her period every single symptoms like every single one one but the day or a couple days after her period, she starts her period... Why? What could have happen? Her symptoms are her boobs hurting and got hard on the sides and her back starting hurting she had to peer even more she had lower stomach pains head aches and faintages.

Romeo

September 29, 2014 7:58 p.m.

I just took a home pregnancy test and it was positive. I called to make an appointment, I believe I am about 3 weeks pregnant, they won't see me until after 10 weeks, is that normal?

Kelly

September 25, 2014 5:39 p.m.

Hi, I had 4 faint positives on the 24th of august, went to health dept to, confirm pregnancy and on the 28th they did. I then noticed bleedinget on the 5th of Sept went to e.r to, find out, I was misscarying my levles that day were a 15 the following Monday at a 4. I'm now 3 weeks past misscariage and we've been trying again, is it possible I can get pregnant?

hopefull hannah

August 28, 2014 12:21 p.m.

Always ask questions!! We were very in touch with our doc and we also read week-by-week books, etc. But always check back with your doc if you've read something. I just came across a new book that's really awesome and even takes it up another notch called “The Wonder Within You: celebrating your baby’s journey from conception to birth” by Carey Wickersham. It’s an awesome combination of week-to-week pregnancy information, what’s going on with the baby, “Did you know?” plus health advice about what to eat, cravings, nutrition, etc, BUT also with awesome 3D/4D pictures and videos you can link or QR with your phone to and see what your baby looks like at each week stage. Even better than the typical week-to-week books, and so personal! It’s got mom stories and even a journal/note section to write your personal memories and letters to your baby. The pregnancy information is as up-to-date as it gets and it’s such a great keepsake. I want to get one for everybody I know who is expecting! I highly recommend it! TheWonderWithinYou.com.

Heather B

August 19, 2014 5:13 p.m.

Am I pregnant? I had sex during my fertile period. I haven't gotten my period since the 13th of August. My nipples are sensitive and hurt. I've been urinating more often. my lower abdomen is tighter right above my pubic bone. I'm bloated. Constipated. Dizzy. Tired. nauseous, but haven't thrown up. and I've been getting headaches that don't last long but the pain is pretty bad and i never get headaches. And I've been getting more acne. I got a negative test that I took this morning, but it was after I had eaten and had gone to the restroom twice. i also drank at least 2 cups of water before I took the test. Am I pregnant?

Kaitlin

August 11, 2014 7:40 p.m.

hello everyone, I had my period on 7/17/2014 lasted 5 days; it was a 27 day cycle. i started having sex with my boyfriend from the 7/20/14 all the way to the 8/3/2014.my next period is expected to come on the 8/13/14. two days ago i use the bathroom and there was little light blood on the tissue, and again yesterday. but i dont have any signs of pregnancy. and today when i wipe i could not see any blood on the tissue. any idea what that might be. thanks

myra

August 3, 2014 1:30 p.m.

Hello everyone, I having hard time u understanding what was really happening inside me. I am so abruptly seeking answers to this.
I have an unprotected sex with my boyfriend last June 30, 2014. It was not withdrawn or etc. My last menstrual date is June 23, 2014 but I am having an irregular menstrual cycle with 35-42 days cycle. As I calculated the date that we had sex I bare in mind that I am safe and not fertile so confidently waited my menstruation this month of july but my menstrual cycle did not come in july. Now it's already august 4 and no signs of getting my menstruation Yet. Okay so I thought of I am pregnant and I took my first pregnancy test last july29 at around 4 in the afternoon and it was negative so i said i will wait till august 1. Yesterday august 3 i took again a test and it is again negative. I am becoming now so frustrated thinking why it results negative when in fact i dont havent menstruation back yet. Plus i have this feeling of always feels tired Nd sleepy and now easily gets hungry. I dont remember i feel breast tenderness and spotting but i feel flank pains now and sometimes abdominal cramping. And I am having small wet and white discharges and always feeling so hot, irritated ad short tempered and emotional.
What should I do? Am I really preggy? Or just delayed please help me answering this. Thanks.

yhajie

July 30, 2014 5:30 p.m.

I had protected sex and im on birth control I had sex on Monday night and every since then which its now Wednesday these last two days ive had stomach pains in my lower and upper stomach but only when im laying downn and some acid reflux but ive had that my whole life and I already had my period for July and the one for august doesnt come until the second week of august but I wanna know now so could I be ?

kala

July 2, 2014 6:51 p.m.

I have always gotten my period on the 20th of the month. I was 2 days early last month, but other than that, it's always been the same. It always lasts for 5 days, and the flow goes light, medium, heavy, medium, light. (Sorry for the TMI). I always have the same PMS symptoms. It's really quite nice, always very predictable. I started taking Vitamin B6 3 days before my period was due, unaware that it could make me late. When it was late, I thought at first it was just that the B6 had delayed it, but when I finally got some bleeding, it was just light spotting. It has lasted for a week now, so 2 days longer and way lighter that anything else I've ever had.
I have just about every pregnancy symptom: Nausea, fatigue, loose stool, headaches, back pain, but I got a negative pregnancy test this morning. (Period would now be 13 days late).
My last period ended May 23rd, and I moved in the middle of June. I would think the stress could be contributing, but I had a bigger move last year and it had no effect on my cycle. I understand the concept of a "light period", but I know how much it takes for my uterine lining to fully shed, and this is *not* it. (Again, sorry for the TMI).
Has this happened to anyone else? Could I be pregnant?
Thanks in advance for your help, I'm really starting to freak out.

Mairi

May 22, 2014 11:26 p.m.

Last week I performed oral sex on my boyfriend. He ejaculated on my chest. I was wearing clothes but some sperm seeped through my shirt and onto my skin I immediately washed it off with soap and water. I waited a day to take a shower. A few days later I've started to burp and have baby barfs. Is that a pregnancy symptom? What are the possibilities I am pregnant?

Patty

May 19, 2014 4:34 p.m.

Can you eat Murrel Muschrooms during pregnancy?

Emily

May 12, 2014 11:00 a.m.

My period last month started on the 14th and ended on the 19th. It was not normal, it was a lot of bleeding on the 1st day with a lot of cramping which is usual, but it was worse than normal. Then it just stopped and spotted every 4+hours. The entire time it was cramping when usually cramping stops the 2nd day or 3rd. Well then this month I was supposed to start on the 11th but obviously I'm a day late, still no period, and not sure if there is a chance of pregnancy being that I'm in a healthy relationship. Not in any stressful situations either times. I took a test last month because my pd confused me but negative. Need help.

Shannon

April 14, 2014 12:13 a.m.

Hi my name is Ashley Me and my fiance think im pregnant he was telling me that his ex girlfriend didn't show signs or anything till she was 5-6 and her pregnancy test came out nagitive until she was 5 months ago!, what should i do?

Ashley

March 1, 2014 12:10 p.m.

I had unprotected sex with my husband on 28th feb.my last periods date was on 10th feb..so wil i become pregnant?

ann

February 27, 2014 10:36 a.m.

I had unprotected sex on February 13th 3 times and my last period lasted February 7-12. Then unprotected sex again on the 23rd of February. I am not on birth control so what are my chances of getting pregnant? I have had small cramps plus more gas/belching than normal.

Haley

February 22, 2014 8:24 a.m.

Here is my story...nov is was six days late for my period, dec I was two days early, jan on time, feb three days early...of a 26 day cycle, so I should not be pregnant! Well, I started experiencing really bad headaches and severe bloating and nausea around jan. My stomach has not been a washboard, but I could get away with the slimness; and I swim three times a week. My ex-husband made me take a pregnancy test mid jan...NEG! I was good with that until I continued to have headaches and nausea, so I called my PCP. He did a blood panel and from that I had an elevated liver count (alt 55/ast 198) but that did not explain the symptoms. I took another pregnancy test b/c my ex kept persisting I am pregnant with all his crazy symptoms...food cravings (steak/steak sub 2am...we almost never eat after 7p & he doesn’t eat red meat), sleeping all the time, doing really weird stuff, etc.; he irrates me to no end, certain scents make me nauseated, I am short tempered, I’ve met my Pizza quota (3-4 servings a yr) for the year and most importantly I have become really emotional…will cry at the drop of a dime! That preg test was NEG!
Ok…so I had to take another liver test and requested a blood preg test...the liver test went down (alt 38/ast 51) and the preg test was NEG. Still bloating, now developed intergestion like crazy over the past three weeks, still having headaches, vomit my lunch last week, regurgitated a few times, so I told my pcp he has to do something. I req for a u/s of my stomach b/c apparently there's a problem. Ok, everything looks fine...liver, gallbladder (no stones...the common duct is obscured by bowel gas), pancreatic body is normal, spleen normal (no fluid), r kidney normal, but the l kidney has mild fullness of the renal pelvis w/o frank hydronephrosis. Btw, all tests for cbc + automated and comprehensive metabolic were good…hbp, glucose, amylase, creatinine, bilirubin were within normal range; my rdw was 14.1 H and the glomer. rate was 53 L. I have the numbers if needed. I did have a couple of nose bleeds that I forgot to tell my PCP about. I was told by some health professionals @ work it could just be that my nose is really dry. What's wrong with me?

Roberta

February 20, 2014 6:11 p.m.

Hi I'm only 14... Please don't judge but I threw up & have been having some bad cramps in my tummy , my emotions been changing everyday like today I was happy than upset than to worried & now crying.. My stomach is starting to get hard right below my boobs ..& I haven't had my period yet but I had sex before like 1 week ago ..& I'm scared I might be pregnant ...

Melisa

February 14, 2014 8:55 a.m.

I am 18 weeks pregnant n also suffering from kidney stone. Is it safe to take iron follic n calcium tabs? Whether these tab increase stone...?

suman chauhan

February 13, 2014 10:03 a.m.

Hi, I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my first baby and certain parts of my tummy feel numb, it's been like this for a few days, I was wondering if this is normal or if
anyone else has felt this and what should I do?

sara

February 13, 2014 9:41 a.m.

Is it possible to not be pregnant after plenty times of unprotected sex and being ejaculated in?

Kristal Kay

February 11, 2014 2:28 a.m.

I am 17 weeks pregnant and having a kidney stone. Doctors suggested to drink water as much as I can but I am confused weather to take follic acid n calcium tablets aur not. Some docs suggested to take them n some docs suggested not to take these as these increase stone problems. Please help what to do?

suman chauhan

February 10, 2014 5:06 p.m.

I'm a Hairdresser is it ok to dye hair ? I'm afraid of the chemicals might cause a miscarriage is that a possibility?

Jessica

February 9, 2014 9:26 p.m.

I'm concerned, on Friday I started my birth control pills but on Saturday morning I had sex and at the end I felt something hot/warm like leak out of me when I looked it was white. What shall I do ?

Junie

January 29, 2014 1:04 p.m.

Hi my husband and I have been trying to conceive again we had our second baby October 2013 and my periods went back to normal about 1 month later. We've had sex everyday for 2weeks with my ovalation right in the middle of that (jan16th) and since last night (jan28th) i had some dark Brown dishcharge and thus morning very slight red blood. Could I be implantation bleeding or getting my period 5 days early? Any help would be great going to do a pregnancy test on the 2nd feb as that's when my periods due but is there any way if knowing faster?

Amy2012

January 20, 2014 7:58 a.m.

Hi iam 23 years old, i was expecting my period on the 4th of jan.. After 7 days due i took a pregnancy and there was a very faint line so i waited 2 days and took a blood test, it came out negative.. Now i am 16 days due with my period, can i still be pregnant? And if not where is my period than?

Lucienne

January 16, 2014 1:50 p.m.

I just found out I'm pregnant & I did have symptoms like tender breasts & I was hungry all the time. I don't really feel tender anymore & I'm no longer hungry all the time. Is there something wrong? I also had a miscarriage back in June 2013....could it be another miscarriage?

tracey

January 15, 2014 9:58 p.m.

My Doc said I'm 3cm dilated and I could possible stay that way for another week before I have my baby. I'm within 3 days of my due date and I'm extremely uncomfortable. How common is this?

Ashley

January 14, 2014 3:53 p.m.

So me and my boyfriend had intercourse Dec 25 without a condom but he pulled out before he came and I am on birth control and he pulls out using a condom I am 11 days late for my period and my last one was the First of December and I was suppose to start Jan 4 and I didn't could anybody help me out and let me know what you think is going on. I haven't had any symptoms of pregnancy except my stomach feeling like it's moving around. I hope someone can help

Addie

November 14, 2013 11:08 p.m.

My wife is 15 1/2wks pregnant recently she visited a doctor for a check up when she told the doctor she had some pains that were concerning her so they did some test well it turned out her placenta was sitting below her uterus and the blood vessel is swollen and put her on bed rest. Ok my question is why is it she can't keep her good dwn everything she eats she vomits and now I'm concerned what can we do? Another question i, is it safe for her to take hydrocodone narcotics?

kevin

November 1, 2013 7:19 a.m.

hi me and fiance are trying to start a family. We had intercourse on ocober 25th and he ejaculated in me mind me saying it was about 3 days after my period can i become pregnant?

quay

October 31, 2013 3:49 a.m.

dear expert, hi, I am 24 years old, I want to know if I am pregnant. the case is, me and my boyfriend had sex on 5 th and 6 th day of my cycle (there ws 4 months gap since last time as we stay in different States), I took the emergency contraceptive pill within 24 hours of sex. I observed dark brown bleeding started on 13 th day and ended on 16 th day which we considered as ovulation bleeding which ws the very first time for me. it's my 33rd day and I haven't got my period yet. should we worry? did we mistake implantation bleeding for ovulation bleeding? plz helpuh

eepu

October 29, 2013 11:00 p.m.

My husband and I are trying to start a family. I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, can this affect me getting pregnant and my child during pregnancy?

Taylor

October 26, 2013 8:40 p.m.

Hi i went to the hospital 2 days ago because i was in a lot of pain. They told i was 1 cm dilated and i was having steady contractions. However they let me go because there was no change in dilation for an hour. I am still having discomfort. I don't know what to do.

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